Posted on: June 20, 2026, 12:12h.
Last updated on: June 20, 2026, 12:43h.
- Brazilian poker player João Siqueira was disqualified from Event 56 at the WSOP on Friday for smoking at the table
- Siqueira argued with a floor supervisor before putting his lit cigarette into a water bottle and removing tournament chips
- Security escorted him out, but his ban is limited to that specific event and he is expected back at the tournament on Saturday
Brazilian poker player João Siqueira was disqualified from a $3,000 buy-in game at the World Series of Poker at Paris Las Vegas Friday night, June 19, for smoking at his table and then sticking tournament chips in his pocket.
Siqueira — who was competing with 340 other players in Event 56, the 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’Em — lit up a cigarette while playing. Smoking has been banned from all U.S. poker rooms since 2003.
The WSOP’s X account shared this video of the incident as a cautionary tale to others.
“The use of smoking devices in the poker room is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification from the tournament,” the WSOP warned in its post. “Here’s what happens when that line gets crossed.”
The clip contains the on-screen text: “Man Smokes $3,000 Cigarette.”
Fuming Mad
In the clip, Siqueira can be seen arguing with a floor supervisor asks him to extinguish his cigarette. Siqueira willfully ignores the request, making a show of the altercation.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here!” he tells the supervisor in Portuguese, looking around at his friends for approval. “I’m here for you. Don’t be afraid, son.”
Siqueira eventually complies by sticking his cigarette in a water bottle to put it out. But then he pockets his chips — another no-no. According to WSOP Rule 38: “Non-value WSOP chips are used for all Events and are the exclusive property of the Host Property and may not be removed from the Event area.”
According to reports, excessive alcohol consumption was also cited as a contributing factor in his disqualification. Security escorted him out without further incident.
Despite his disregard for tournament rules, Siqueira was only banned from that event, not the WSOP or any Caesars Entertainment properties. He is expected to return to the WSOP on Saturday.
The comments beneath the X post were equally celebratory and condemnatory of Siqueira’s behavior.
“Someone needs to make a rule immediately allowing smoking at poker tables, they go hand in hand. Absurd to get banned for a cigarette,” commented @VERTIGO007420.
“This is why most casino workers can’t stand poker players!” @chetcosgrove clapped back.
Poker pro Nick Schulman posted a photo of Siqueira to his X accout, writing: “There just are no two ways about it. Legend.”
This was not the first time a player has been disqualified at the WSOP for smoking-related violations, though the penalty is rare and has never been applied to a high-profile pro.
The 2026 WSOP continues through July 15 at Paris Las Vegas and the Horseshoe. The $10,000 Main Event is scheduled to run from July 2 through July 13, narrowing an expected field of 10,000 down to the final nine players. Following an intermission, the survivors will return to the felt from August 3–5, when the final table begins playing down to crowning poker’s next world champion.
